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Michael Tao
John 14:23 to 24,"Then the soldier, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat; now the coat was without seam, woven from the top through. They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did."
Jesus Christ was nailed on the cross by a small group of Roman soldiers. After this, these soldiers divided Jesus' overcoat, which was usually made of fur. They saw this robe, which was valuable because it was woven in one piece. This seamless robe was very likely provided by his woman followers, and we can see they have been treating Jesus very well .
The soldiers were trying to divide his garments into four parts, probably there were four of them. However, they did not want to tear this robe apart because of its value. To decide who would be the owner of this seamless coat, they cast lot for it. When they stooped down and put forth their best effort in casting the dices, wishing to be the victor of this game, they ignored the Ultimate Victor who was right next to them. Jesus was up on the cross, in desperate agony and shame and loneliness, facing His death. Through His death, Jesus redeemed the whole world, conquered the power of death, and won the battle for the whole world.
The best that the soldiers could win was no more than a dead man's bloody robe, but they forgot that they themselves were naked, blind and most miserable. They did not need that seamless robe; they needed a white robe of righteousness.
The soldiers always carried their dices and used them whenever possible. They built their lives around chances, randomness and uncertainties. If someone had asked them about their eternity, they probably would have said, "I am a Roman soldier, I obey my commander and do my duties. I treat my family and friends well, I feed my horse and wash my chariot. I know how to use my sword and my spear; sometimes I pull tricks on the Jews but nobody is perfect. If I die I think I would go to heaven - if there is a heaven and if there is a god". This is a lot casting attitude which is full of doubts, uncertainties, confusion and puzzles. "I hope I will win" attitude will soon become the "I wish I could have won" statement.
The lost people in this world are again casting their lots, with the false hope that they will be winners after their death. They live in a life without God, without promise, and without hope. There are no certainties in life no matter how much effort the lost people put into their financial management, child training, loving their spouses, work, interpersonal relationship, recreation etc. Every success is purely governed by chance. Everything is at the very mercy of a game of lot casting. Sometimes they seem to be able to achieve something, but most of the time they lose. People of this world have to bet for the worst that there is no god, so that they can live whichever way they choose. If the lost people bet that there is a god and a heaven, then they have to continue to bet that their work is good enough to allow them to get into heaven. This is a lot casting attitude, a losing attitude. When the lost think that there could be a chance, but actually they have no chance at all. When it is the time for the lost people to bid good bye to this world, in a split of a second, they become forever losers. None of those who ignore Christ and the effect of His cross can have victory over death. They will end up in a terrible place called hell, because they have spent their life in stooping down, bending forward, bowing down to Satan and casting their lots..
Christians do not live on chances, or luck; we live on promises, God's promises. However through rebellion, Christians cast lots too. In their carnal nature, even Christians may argue, "If I skip doing this, or even if I do this, perhaps God would forgive me". We are casting lots with our Maker, One who created us, One who has even numbered our hair, One who is King of all kings, One who never fails; yet we have the delusion that there may be a chance that we can beat Him. We take the chance of being rebellious yet can escape from His displeasure. We abuse His mercy, not seeing we are tempting God; and a pay day will come. First Timothy 5:24 has told us the result if we want to cast lots with God. Life is too short to cast lots; if Christians have to learn their spiritual through making mistakes, then life is too short for it. Whatever the Bible says is right, do it; whatever the Bible says it is wrong, do not do it. With this, you will be a happy winner, in this life and the life to come.
